Track score board



DAILY DDUBLE/ Sept. 24, 1963 c. F. WOOD 3,104,484

TRACK SCORE BOARD Filed March 22, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet l /IBFIRST RACE, w|

o JNVENTOR. 7 CHARLES F. wooo 3 0 8 N BY ATTORNEYS" Sept. 24, 1963 c. F. WOOD TRACK SCORE BOARD 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1961 mkazbt 0 m kko IURQSM VxU Tm .mx q

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275 /-288 7 A.c.Gko(/No OFF 30 RELA Y l 3/ II SPARE END RA CE WINNER A No RA Y NEON s w/ rcH Sept. 24, 1963 Filed March 22, 1961 WINNER PAYS RACK SWITCH 32 RELA Y I OFF CENTS OFF 9 a 7/ \a SI 5 HUNDREDS 27B Sept. 24, 1963 Filed March 22, 1961 TERM/1v 7 0 CONTROL mNEL C. F. WOOD TRACK SCORE BOARD DAIL Y DOUS'L E JlGafi 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 To :0 HEAD HEAD RACKS RACKS [-4 5-8 INVENTOR.

CHARLES F. WOOD ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 24, 1963 Filed March 22, 1961 C. F. WOOD TRACK SCORE BOARD 9 SheetsSheet 7 TERMINAL 258 L NUMQEEy 94 i 290 7 n W 126. A.

ron'mllvsfls MYS YREMYS RACKSMTC #540 NUMBER Gkou 0 v Til/I18 3 -0 a F- 1': /3eo 0 o i I 362 jruausnnos '292 04s SPARE m -1 n I a l "l Pena: I0 "I 4 I 1| I 1 Fee-vs l I 32 0 v 22 I 22 I 400 4o2 Z? Z; iwwkeos usso o/v RACKS /a -g 39 o 40 -0 I t/ 294 a 42 an a -x2 43 F I 44 o 3 2 45 e '3 46 g -4 47 -0 "5 48 0 I? g; I: TENS 296 PIN PINPINPIII mv PM! PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN 52 I23456788/O/l O 53 110 vam 24!- -X/ 54 ac)? AC- 55 111?. 8

56 0 2 5 7 4 f gg 3 /406 5 60 0 g 2 u/vrrs 298 8 63 *9 64 -0 65 a PERIOD 65 06/ .X2 67 4 m 68 2 69 0 v v -3 70 0 4 7/ -0 5 72 0 i3 3 CENTS 300 0550 GNP/1Y5 RACK ONLY -8 75 9 76 If 55 3 a2 79 7 Sept. 24, 1963 c. F. WOOD 3,104,484

TRACK SCORE BOARD Filed March 22,- 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

CHARLES F. WOOD ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,104,484 CK SCQRE BOARD Charles F. Wood, 3017 chool View Road, Eden, N.Y. Filed Mar. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 97,510 4 Claims. (Cl. 40130) This invention relates to a display device and pertains more particularly to an electrical sign or track score board particularly adapted for indicating race results.

At the present time, the Daily Double is very popular with horse racing fans. However, there is usually very little effort made to post the results of the combination. For example, after the first race of the Daily Double has been run, quite a period of time may elapse before the second race of the Daily Double is run and in the interim interested spectators often are not apprised of the results. Also, after the second race of the Daily Double has been run, it is of interest to the fans to know what the total odds are for the combination of the two races involved. It is of primary concern in connection with this invention to provide an electrical system and associated sign particularly adapted for use in systems such as is described above.

An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a display device in which a display panel is provided with a plurality of illuminating means within different areas of the panel and having associated control means for the various illuminating means whereby different areas of the panel may be selectively illuminated in such fashion as to apprise an onlo'oker of certain information, as for. example, the winner of the first race of a Daily Double, the subsequent winner of the second race of the Daily Double, the total adds pay-01f for the two winners combined and the individual odds of the horse in either race, all to the end of imparting such information in a continuous as well as sequential fashion so that the onlooker is fully informed of "all factors at any given instant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device in accord with the preceding object so that all information is indicated at one location and may be conveniently and easily ascertained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as described in which the several light array means are controlled as to brightness whereby to accommodate for variations in ambient conditions and so to achieve maximum effectiveness and wherein also, such control is selective as to the individual light array means so that the different areas of the display panel can be varied as to their visual predominance, one with respect to the other.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical sign and system therefor as set forth hereina-bove-in which the number of component electrical parts is maintained at a practical minimum while at the same time establishing suflicient illumination whereby the sign is easily and quickly read even at great distances and wherein no likelihood of confusion as to the odds posted will tend to result.

A further object of this invention is'to provide an improved sign as set forth here-inabove wherein an electrical control system therefor incorporates a novel arrangement of relays for controlling selected ones of an array of illumin-ating means, such as individual light bulbs, whereby a minimum number of such relays is utilized to repre sent the indicia O-9 while at the same time obtaining a clear definition of the integers desired to be displayed by virtue of the closeness of spacing between the individual illuminating means in the array.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical sign and control system therefor which is particu- 3,104,484 Patented Sept. 24, 1963 larly adapted for sequential and simultaneous operation wherein the face of the signiis divided into sections which are separately or cumulatively illuminated for apprising the spectators of sequentially occurringevents and in which the sign and its control system are characterized by their compactness and by the simplicity of the circuitry involved as compared to the number of units serviced and the combinations and permutations available for display.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a sign constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the associated control panel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational View of the control panel illustrating the various control components thereon;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the portion of the circuitry incorporated in the control panel and more specifically shows the circuitry for controlling the upper area of the sign shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the control system in association with a portion of the head rack;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic View showing further circui-try of the control panel;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing circuitry associated with the current supply and relay mechanisms and illustrating the fashion in which the power is diverted between the several setsof head racks;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of th system corresponding to FIG. 4 and illustrating the man- FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of one of the relays;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of one of the illuminating arrays and indicating thereon the various combination and permutations for indiciating the indicia 09; and

FIG. :10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the combination of relays utilized in association with each other and singly so as to achieve all the possible combinations with a minimum of relay mechanisms. 7

Referring more particularly now to FIG. 1, as shown therein, the invention consists of an indicator or sign designated generally by the reference character 10' in such fashion as'hereinafter set [forth to control the various areas thereof. The various areas of the sign are the designation array indicated generally by the reference character 14 which is simply a neon or other suitable head ing to identify the sign assembly. In this particular case, the portion 14 spells out Daily Double since the particular sign shown is to be used for this purpose. The second area of the sign as indicated generally by the reference character 16 is, another neon portion or its equivalent identifying the first race winner and the selective panel portion 18 associated therewith is controlled by the panel 12 to indicatethe number of the horse winning the first race of the Daily Double series. Below this portion of the sign is a variable area indicated generally by the reference character M -which is controlled by the panel 12 and indicates the number of the winning horse in the sec ond race of the DailyDouble series and immediately ad-w jacent thereo is the word pays" indicated by the reference character 227which is illuminated atthe proper time in association with the numeral in the box 20. Opposite the area 22 are a series of boxes 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 which are selectively controlled from the panel 12 to indicate theodds for the Daily Double series, that is, the odds for the two races combined. 1

The lower region of the mechanism is divided'into a series of head racks indicated respectively by the reference characters 36, 38, '40, 42, '44, 46, '48 and 50*. Each of the head racks is of similar construction except that each has the first box portion 52 thereof permanently connected so as to be illuminated with the number of the horse to which it corresponds and this box also contains a dash 54. Adjacent this first box 52 are the sequentially occurring boxes56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 and 66 which corresponds respectively to thousands, hundreds, tens, units, and the two remaining boxes to the cents, indicating the particular odds for the specific horse under consideration. The head racks 3650 relate to the horses in the second race of the Daily Double series and are used only during the second race.

A description of the operation of the mechanism is as follows since it will greatly clarify the sequence of events involved in the circuitry hereinafter more particularly described. Before the first race of the Daily Double, the area 14 is illuminated, the remainder of thesign being dark and after the first race of the series has been run, the areas 16 and 18 are illuminated with the box 18 designating the number of the particular horse which Won this first race. These areas of the sign remain lit at all times during the interim between the end of the first race of the series and the end of the second race of the series. Before the second race is run, the various horses are posted in the head racks 36-50 and the odds at post time are indicated also therein, the areas 2064 being dark at this time. At the end of the second race, the winner of that race of the Daily Double series is posted in the box 20 and the composite odds for the two races of the series is posted in the boxes 24-34; At the same time the area 22 is illuminated at this time, the area 16 is darkened and after a reasonable period of time the head racks 36-50 are also darkened leaving only the areas 14, '18 and 20-34 illuminated.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 6 together, the circuitry as shown therein constitutes the main power supply as well as controls for the Daily Double sign, the first race winner and the second race winner. As shown therein, the main circuit consists of a three phase 220 volt alternating current line whose conductors are designated by reference characters 70, 72 and 74 and which are connected to a circuit breaker which is indicated by the reference character 76. From the circuit breaker 76, the lines 70*, 72 and 74 lead respectively to junction boxes 78, '80 and 82 each of which is in turn connected to associated rheostats which are indicated by reference characters 84, 86 and 88, the purpose of such rheostats being pointed out more particularly hereinat'ter. v I From each of the rheostats 84-88 are main lines 90, 92 and 94 which lead to the various light arrays as designated in FIG. 6. The rheostat 88 is also connected in its main line 94 to conductors 96 and. 98, the former of which extends to a relay indicated generally by the reference character 100 which is of normally open type and from the other side of this relay extends a conductor 102 leading to the relay box indicated generally'by reference character 1&4. Contained within the relay box 104 are relays and corresponding conductors 166,108, 110, 112, 114, 116,118, 120, 122 and 124 extend thereto and the opposite side of each relay is connected to a ground conductor 126, substantially as shown. 7 The corresponding conductors 106- 124 extend to a selector switch mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 130 posite side of the primary 194 being connected to the in FIG. Sand which is mounted on the control panel as is shown in FIG. 2. This selector switchis of a compound type having two sets of'stationarycontacts 132 and 134 and each section has a rotatively-movable contact 136 and 138 so that the movable contacts will move in unison to any oneof the positions designated in FIG. 3.

Si-milarly,as shown in FIG. 6, there is a-further relay box indicated by reference character 140 and having the leads 142-160 connected individuallyito the 10 relays located within this box. These conductors 142 160 ex tend to the selector switch 162 illustrated in FIG. 3 which'switch is constructed identically with the switch 13%) described hereinabove. l oth the relay boxes 1&4 and tion of the relay box 104 when such first race winner switch 176 is closed. The other relay box 140 is connected by means of conductor 180 to a fixed contact of,

a relay member indicated generally by reference character 182 and connected to the previously mentioned A.C. conductor 98 when such relay 182 is closed. This relay 182 is a 24 volt D.C. relay, as is the relay and is connected by means of conductor 186 to the second race winner and pays switch 270 illustrated in FIG. 4 i 'so that any time that this switch is closed, the conductor 7 180 will be connected to the supply through the rheosat 88. At the same time, the relay 182 will make a connection between conductor 190 and conductor 192, the latter of which extends up to the junction box 82 and is connected to the Volt AC. thereat. Thus, when relay 182 is energized, the primary winding 194 of the neon pays sign transformer 196, the secondary of which 198 is connected to this sign, as will be understood the opground conductor 17G substantially as is shown.

FIG. 6 also illustrates the manner in which thefdash 2% (see also FIG. 1) is illuminated-at any time that- .the relay 182 is energized inasmuch as one side of this dash is connected by conductor 202 in common with the AC. supply conductor 1% for the relay box and the other side of the dash is connected by means ofcon ductor1264 to the ground conductor 170. Y

.The relay 2G6 is connected .in series parallel with the relay 182, both being connected through conductors 208 and 210, respectively, to the common ground connection 212 to which the relay 1% is also connected. The other side of the relay 206 is connected by means of conductor 214 to the first race neon switch 188 and energizes the neon transformer 220 by connecting the same, through conductor 222 to the conductor 192 previously men tioned. The relay 206 also serves to energize conductor,

224 supplying the switch 162.

To apprise the operator of the preparation of the 24 completes the circuit through the associated neon indicator 232 which indicates that the first race winner neon sign switch has been closed. In association with the main switch 234 there is a '24. volt relay 236 which when energized completes the circuit through the associated neon indicator 238. vAt the same time, when the main switch 234 is closed, the primary 240 of a 24 volt transformer 242 is energized, the secondary 244 of which is in the Daily Double sign circuit, establishing 24 volts alternating current in such circuit which is completed by closing the Daily Double switch 246. c When the mainswitch 234 is closed, the. relay 248is'energized to complete the circuit including conductors 250 and 262 through the neon indicator 254.

For establishing the 24 volt D.C. supply, h is prof;

vided a power pack 269, see FIG. 6, whose output is 7 through the conductor 262 and 264. g

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 7, the

previously mentioned conductor 186 will beseen to be connected to the second race winner and pay neon switch 270 which completes, when closed, the circuit through the previously mentioned'relay 182 establishing its asso:

ciated circuits. At the same time, the conductor 264'is to the several selector switches 278, 282, 284 and 286. When the switch 274 is closed, conductor 288 is energized to complete the circuit through relay 290 which completes the circuit from the main A.C. power supply and conductor 94 so as to energize the various relays within the relay boxes 292, 294, 296, 298 and 300, associated with the selectors 278-286, respectively, all as established by the common conductor 302.

The several selector switches 278-286 are utilized to correspond to the thousands, hundreds, tens, units and cents for the light system within the areas 24-34 of the assembly, see FIG. 1. The area 20 of the sign is controlled by the previously mentioned selector switch 162 and the area 22 of the sign is controlled by the means of switch 270.

Each of the relay boxes 294-300 contain 12 relays, hereinafter more particularly described, whereas the relay box 292 need carry only two relays since only this number is needed to establish the particular integer in the thousands which will normally be paid off although it will be understood that additional relays may be used to establish figures greater than 2.

Each of the relay boxes 294-300 have a system of relays such as is illustrated in FIG. wherein l2 relays numbered as shown are illustrated, each being of similar construction. Referring to the relay number 1, for ex ample, same as designated by the reference character 310 and will be seen to have two pins or conductors 312 and 314 connected to the D0. supply and to have an AC. pin or conductor 316 which would correspond to the connection made by the conductor 302. In-addition, each of these relays has 8 further pins or conductors 318-332, which are the AC. outlets therefrom as established be tween the pin 316 and these latter pins when the relay is energized. Conductors from these pins or connections 318-332 are'made to ,the individual lights of an array such as is illustrated in FIG. 9, the entire array being designated generally therein by the reference character 334. As can be seen in FIG. 9, there are 35 individual lights represented diagrammatically therein and having sequential numbering as designated. These lights are arranged in 6 vertical rows of which there nections from these several relays with the array shown in FIG. 9, the requisite numerals will be seen to be established when such relays are individually energized. The numeral 5 is established by the simultaneous energization of relays 5 and X1, designated by numerals 3, 4, 6 and 348, respectively. On the other hand, all of the numerals 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0 are established by energizing simultane ously their corresponding relays 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0 plus the common relay X2 designated by the reference character 350. Thus, the basic pattern in the light array established by the relay X2 is used in common with all of these latter numerals and the particular variations from this basic pattern to achieve the corresponding particular numerals is achieved by the individual relays 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0. The only remaining combination of the relay system is the combination of relay number 1 and 4 designated 310 and 352, respectively. The numeral 4 is achieved by this combination'in the light 'array' 334 and naturally utilizes the basic vertical column of lights established by the relay 310 in addition to those further lights necessary to complete the numeral 4 as established by relay 352.

Thus, a great number of lights, arranged in an array of high density, are controlled by relatively few relays, 12 in total number, to establish all the numerals l-O. As previously described, when less than the total number of 1 0 numerals is desired, a fewer number of relays may be utilized as for example is the case with the selector switch 278 as previously mentioned in association with the relay box 292.

It will be appreciated that numbers in the head racks 36-50 are permanently wired and need no selector switches and, additionally, the dash and period as well as the 0 associated with each head rack are permanently I filled in 'also.. This relationship is shown in FIG. 7A

are 7 lights in a complete row. Rows containing the lights 1, 4 and 6 are complete whereas the rows containing lights 2, 3 and 5 contain only 5 lights, all arranged in a predetermined pattern to establish as great a density of individual light sources for all of the integers 1-0. v

To control the total number of lights, 35, in an array, only 12 relays as shown in FIG. 10 are used. In FIG. 10, there is provided a legend which illustrates the relays used for the individual integers designated generally by reference characters 336 and 338. For example, the numeral 3 is achieved in the array by energizing relay 3 plus relay X2. Normally, it is desirable to energize the relays first for all the selective switches 278-286 and to then close associated alternating power switch 274 so as to avoid arcing of the relay contacts. Likewise, it is preferable to throw the switch 274 before the individual selector switches 278-286 are turned to off position.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, certain of the lights in the array are always energized together. For example, lights 9, 13, 24 and 28 as shown connected with the pin or connector 322 of relay number 1 in FIG. 10 are simultaneously energized or more particularly are connected in parallel by their connection to this relay. Thus, when any one of them is lit, all are lit. As a further example, consider relay 340, relay number 2,

wherein the head rack number is designated generally by reference character 380, the dash by reference char-acter 382, the period by reference character 384 and the 0 and cents array by the reference character 386.

FIG. 8 illustrates the "diagrammatic construction of each of the relays and relating this figure to the relay number 310 in FIG. 10, the pins 6 and 7 in FIG. 8 would correspond to pins 312 and 314 in FIG. 10 Whereas the pin number 1 in FIG. 8 would correspond to the connector 316 in FIG. 10. The remainder of the pins in FIG. 8 would correspond to the various pins or connectors 318-332 in FIG. 10.

Whereas the circuitry in FIGS. 4 and 7 relates to the control of areas 16, 18, 20, 22, 2'4, 26, 28, 30,32 and 34 of the panel 10, the circuitry more diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5 relates to the control of areas 36, 38, 40,

42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. In FIG. 7A, the conductors 400 and 402 would be connected to the AC. circuit servicing the relay units with which the FIG. 7A circuit is associated, corresponding to connection to ground and to conductor 302 in FIG. 7, in similar fashion to the manner in which the period 404 and zero 406 are connected in FIG. 7.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be appreciated that there are eight control mechanisms on the control panel for the corresponding member of head racks 36-50. Thus, for the eight switches 410-424 in FIG. 5, there are eight corresponding positions on the control panel, only two of which are shown in FIG. 2. Each control position has five selector switches 426-434 which are respectively indicated in cumulative fashion as at 436-450 in FIG. 5. Each of these series of selector switches is similar to vthe series of switches 298-286 in FIG. 4. Thus, in FIG. 5, conductors 452-466 correspond FIG. 5, the single conductors 472-484 in each case represent, for the sake of clarity, one of the conductors corre- 7 sponding to those conductors extending to terminals 30- 79 in FIG. 4. Thus, in FIG. 5, for each of the conductors 472-484, there will actually be fifty such conductors. These fifty conductors in each case will extend to relay assemblies corresponding to relay assemblies 292-300 in FIG. 7. Such corresponding relay assemblies willeach have a relay switch such as relay switch 299 in FIG. 7 controlled by one of the associated switches 419424 through conductors 456 466.

When each switch 419-424 is closed, it energizes, through a relay such as that shown at 499 in FIG. 5, a neon indicator such as the indicators 492 and 494, also shown in FIG. 2. It will, of course, be understood that whereas only one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail hereinabov'e, various changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims. r

What is claimed is: i

1. In a display device, a display panel, a plurality of light array means disposed within different areas of said panel for imparting numerical information to an onlooker, each light array means including at least one array of individual illuminating means wherein the individual illuminating means are arranged in a plurality of closely spaced vertical rows, a plurality of relays for energizing said individual illuminating means, each relay being connected to a plurality of different illuminating means within the array establishing basic combinations of illuminating means for each relay, said basic combinations being such that the indicia -9 inclusive may be represented by energizing not less than one and no more than two of said relays, and control means for selectively energizing said relays.

2. In a display device, a panel having a plurality of light array means disposed thereon for displaying information, each such means including a plurality of individual illuminating members with such members disposed in a plurality of closely spaced vertical rows, a plurality of relays for each array means, each rela'y'being con nected to a plurality of difierent illuminating members whereby each relay is effective to energize a difierent combination of said illuminating members, said combinations being such as to represent every indicia from 0-9 inclusive by a total of not more than two such combinations, and

control means for selectively energizing said relays to represent a desired indicia.

3. In a display device, a display panel, a plurality of light array means disposed Within different areas of said panel for imparting numerical information to an onlooker, each light array means including at least one array of individual illuminating means wherein the indi-.

vidual illuminating means are arranged in a plurality of closely spaced vertical rows, a group of ten relays, each corresponding to a diiierent indicia from 0 to 9 and each,

except those relays corresponding to the indicia 1, 2 and 7, being connected to a plurality of individual illuminating means less than the total number required to fully display the corresponding indicia, a first auxiliary relay connected to those individual illuminating means which, in combination with the individual illuminating means to which the relay of the stated group which corresponds to the indicia 5, will-fully display the indicia S, a second there are six vertical rows of individual illuminating means, the first, fourth and sixth rows of which are full" and contain seven individual illuminating means, the second row of which contains five individual illuminating means with the second and fifth from the top being ab sent, the third row of which contains five individualiilltirninating means with the third and sixth from the top being absent, and the fifth row of which containing four individual illuminating means with the second, fifth and sixth from the top being absent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,912 Williams Oct. 11, 1938 r 2,230,152 Wolfrey lan.'28, 1941 2,239,894 Keen Apr. 29, 1941 2,263,281 Von Tadden Nov. 18, 1941 2,307,173 Vian Jan. 5, 1943 2,966,616 Mash Dec. 27, 1960 Mash Dec. 11, 1962 

1. IN A DISPLAY DEVICE, A DISPLAY PANEL, A PLURALITY OF LIGHT ARRAY MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN DIFFERENT AREAS OF SAID PANEL FOR IMPARTING NUMERICAL INFORMATION TO AN ONLOOKER, EACH LIGHT ARRAY MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE ARRAY OF INDIVIDUAL ILLUMINATING MEANS WHEREIN THE INDIVIDUAL ILLUMINATING MEANS ARE ARRANGED IN A PLURALITY OF CLOSELY SPACED VERTICAL ROWS, A PLURALITY OF RELAYS FOR ENERGIZING SAID INDIVIDUAL ILLUMINATING MEANS, EACH RELAY BEING CONNECTED TO A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT ILLUMINATING MEANS WITHIN THE ARRAY ESTABLISHING BASIC COMBINATIONS OF ILLUMINATING MEANS FOR EACH RELAY, SAID BASIC COMBINATIONS BEING SUCH THAT THE INDICIA 0-9 INCLUSIVE MAY BE REPRESENTED BY ENERGIZING NOT LESS THAN ONE AND NO MORE THAN TWO OF SAID RELAYS, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID RELAYS. 